His Presence

His Presence

Marsha Deveaux Johnson, Living Joy Ministries, Inc. http://hepzibah40.blogspot.com

Exodus 33:14

“And the Lord said, My presence shall go with thee and I will give thee rest.”

One of the benefits of friendship is the comfort level we have with a trusted friend.  We recognize their phone number when we see it on the digital screen.  We know the sound of their voice on the other end of the telephone.  We have a comfort level with them just “dropping by” our home if they are out or in the neighborhood.  We are comfortable in their presence.

I am always fascinated by the words that God speaks to me because of the power that lies in His spoken word.  God has been speaking to me lately about the word “presence.”  He reminded me of the above scripture and pointed out to me that the word “rest” was used instead of peace.  Rest in this instance seems to be a destination or state of existence that God brings us into.  This rest is brought on by His presence being with us. Moses was so committed to the will of the Father that his response to God was, “Lord if Your presence does not go with me, let me not go anywhere” (Exodus 33:15).

 As I meditated upon the word rest in the Exodus scripture, I began to understand that “rest” was all encompassing.  You can have “peace” regarding certain things in your life but be challenged and not at peace with others. 

“Rest” is a place of destination that is entered into by faith and manifests the total presence of God almighty.  Hebrews the 4^th chapter speaks of the “Rest” as a destination.  It is to be entered into by the faith that God’s people exercise in His written and spoken word.  His presence is the optimum benefit of entering into His Rest.

Prerequisites to “His Presence” and the “Rest”

·         You must know Jesus Christ in the pardon and forgiveness of your sins. John 3:16

·         You must know that you are redeemed from the curse of the law (sin, sickness, poverty, spiritual death). Galatians 3:13

·         You must have a revelation of Satan’s Defeat. Isaiah 14:12-17. Ezekiel 28^th Chapter 

·         You must have a revelation of Christ’s Victory. Revelation1:18    

What does “His Presence” entail?

To view a snapshot of His presence, I will go back to the statements I made about a trusted friend.  I will apply these statements to our Trusted Friend.  You know His voice.  Of all the voices that are in the earth, and there are many, you discern when He speaks to you.  You have absolute clarity of His promptings, desires, and orders.  You also recognize and know His footprint on circumstances, situations, and occurrences.  You would never mistake another for Him (Calling good evil or evil good).  You understand and exercise His heart toward mankind. 

And last but not least you are comfortable with Him “dropping by” and visiting with His divine presence anytime He desires.  In fact, your spirit lives continually in His divine presence and promptings.  Your spirit remains in constant communication with God. This communication is likened unto the flame in the tabernacle that burned continually, (Leviticus 6:13).  This communication in your spirit takes place regardless of the engagement of your soul (mind, will, emotions) in temporal things.  This candle just keeps on burning (Proverbs 20:27, “The  spirit of man is the candle of the Lord”).

What does “His Rest” entail?

Well first of all it can only be experienced if the “Presence” of God is with you.  There can be no allegiance to man or self in this place of “Rest”.  You have abandoned your own plan, will, actions, desires, and submitted to the will of the Father (John 5:30).  This is sometimes where it gets hard for some who genuinely love God.  You must abandon self-seeking and approval of man desires.  This abandonment will allow you to enter into His presence and His rest.  God’s presence can then invade your spirit with the union He desires. 

Just as the Father and the Son are One (John 10:30), we also enter into that same “Oneness” as His presence engulfs us.   It is here in this “Oneness” and “Union” that the world and its system have no stronghold over our lives.  Like Jesus, our kingdom truly becomes not of this world.  We are in it but not of it.

Benefits of His Presence

·         You are void of desires that promote self and the approval of man.  Your lips constantly speak forth the plans, purposes, and will of God.  You have denied yourself, taken up your cross and are following Jesus (Matthew 16:24).

·         You constantly feast on the “Hidden Manna” (Revelation 2:17) that God floods into your spirit daily.  You radiate a purity of spirit and love in your dealings with others.

·         You have peace and contentment that defies the chaos of the world. God can trust you to know and do the right thing.

·         You immediately identify the plans, purposes, and desires of the Father and seek to agree with and accomplish His agenda.

·         You bring the anointing and presence of God wherever your voice is heard, wherever your words are read, and wherever you  go.

Divine Order

Divine Order

Marsha Deveaux Johnson, Living Joy Ministries, Inc., http://hepzibah40.blogspot.com

“Two “orders” compete.  They are “Divine Order” (God’s plan) and “Chaos” (Satan’s plan of Sin & Death).   There is no “order” outside of God’s divine order.” MDJ

Elohim, the Creator of the universe created man in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26).  This was and is His eternal plan that man live throughout the eternity with Him.  God wanted fellowship and communion with someone who was “like Him”.  God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit placed man in the Garden of Eden (Genesis Chapter 1).  God’s creation was given dominion over everything in the earth realm. Adam was given a commandment not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3:3). 

God’s plan was challenged when His creation took a wrong turn in the Garden of Eden and unleashed chaos (Satan’s plan, sin & death) into the earth realm. This really happened and is the cause for all the chaos we see in our world today.  Man’s “wrong turn” of disobedience in the garden has left us with choosing one of two options, right choice (God’s Divine Order) and wrong choice (Satan’s plan, sin & death).  Right choice (God’s Divine Order) follows the complete will of the Father’s purpose for man. Wrong choice follows the pattern of the fallen angel (Isaiah 14:12-16) Satan’s plan for man (Chaos; Satan’s plan, sin & death).

The ability for man to live in God’s divine order was established when Jesus came to earth, suffered, and died on the cross for our sins.  It was a high price to pay, however God sacrificed His then “only begotten Son” so that all sons and daughters would have access to Him in order to become “like Him”.  This salvation plan offered by Jesus Christ requires that a man surrender his own order to the divine order of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  This surrender is without exception, we are called on as children of God to conform to the image of His son Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29).  The unique challenge that this presents is that the inherited nature of Adam is selfish and wants to remain the center of attention. 

The new creation (2^nd Corinthians 5:17) makes Jesus Christ the center of attention, but through a process.  This process of transformation happens with the “renewing of the mind” (Romans 12:2) to God’s eternal word and practicing the plan (God’s Divine Order) found in His word.  A follower of Christ navigates with His word in a world that does not adhere to God’s plan (God’s Divine Order).  This is the challenge for those who believe and do God’s word. 

Success in life is different for Believers and non Believers.  One man’s success may be another’s failure. This ramps up the confusion for everyone and spins daily interaction between people on earth into chaos (Satan’s plan, sin & death).  God’s people (Believers) exist in a kingdom that is not of this world (John 18:36).  Non Believers exist in a kingdom that Satan rules.  The current condition of the world becomes clear when the interaction between these two different kingdoms (Divine Order verses Chaos; Satan’s plan, sin & death) occur.

Divine Order is divine (God’s plan).  Chaos is chaos (Satan’s plan, sin & death). For man, these two kingdoms are revealed by who lives on the throne in his heart.  Believers are not to look, think, or act like people who live in chaos.  We have been redeemed and bought back from chaos (Satan’s plan, sin and death) to the God who created us in His image and likeness.  We enter chaos (Satan’s plan, sin & death) only when we are tempted to conform to the kingdom and practices of this world. These worldly practices create chaos (Satan’s plan, sin & death); that encourage selfishness, greed, hatred, racism, elitism, and every ungodly thing (Galatians 5:19-21) that reigns in the heart of man.  

We are a “peculiar” (1^st  Peter 2:9) people and are not called upon to blend into chaos (Satan’s plan, sin & death) but to lead others out of chaos (Satan’s plan, sin & death) by example and love.  Every encounter we have with those who do not know Jesus Christ should leave them with a hunger for the divine order that is manifested in our lives.  When we take on the role of chaos (Satan’s plan, sin & death) as Believers, people do not encounter the Living Christ who is the hope of glory in us (Colossians 1:27).  You may be the only divine order (God’s plan) a person comes into contact with the day that you encounter them.

What are you showing the world? Do people see in you a light burning so brightly that they cannot ignore the peace, joy and love of that light? Do they see in you warmth that supersedes the condemnation they receive from others?  Do they know that the word “Christian” means that they are welcomed and loved regardless of their race, creed, color, politics, etc?  Do they encounter God when you do business with them?  Do they see Jesus in you when they are hungry, cold, poor, and in need of a destination?  Do you contribute to the divine order (God’s plan) or to the chaos (Satan’s plan)? 

The body of Christ is sick when it allows the chaos (Satan’s plan) of the world to infiltrate the divine order (God’s plan) that our Father demands that we live under.  Healing for the body of Christ comes when we all come into the unity of the faith. Jesus prayed for “Oneness” for His body as He and the Father were One.  Chaos (Satan’s plan) is the only thing that separates us from this “Oneness” that Jesus prayed for.  Drop the chaos (Satan’s plan) and live in divine order (God’s plan) and then the world will know that we are His disciples.

When the body of Christ functions in the divine order (God’s plan) of God we see physical healings come forth in abundance.  We see relationships restored in families that have been estranged for years.   We see souls come to know the Lord Jesus as divine order brings us into the “Oneness” Jesus prayed for (John 17:21. 

As Living Joy Ministries, Inc. ministers to God’s people, we are seeing the amazing power of God in restoring families, ministries, and joyous living to people who were cut off from the Father because of the chaos (Satan’s plan, sin & death) in their lives.  God is moving in a mighty way to bring man back to Him.  He just wants to fulfill the desire He had when He created man.  That desire was for fellowship and communion with a being that was “Like Him”.  Be “Like Him” and live in His divine order (God’s plan).

PS What He (God) wanted was to commune & fellowship with someone who was like Him.  Do you qualify? MDJ

"Water into Wine"

Water into Wine”

Marsha Deveaux Johnson, Living Joy Ministries, Inc., http://hepzibah40.blogspot.com

This is A New Day

This is a new day,

We have shed off old garments,

Like the chaff that the wind drives away,

This is a new day,

And revived we will stand,

In the Holy Ghost authority

Conquering this land.

It’s not time for old things to be here.

It’s not time for old things to stay.

The Holy Ghost authority is moving in the land,

And we’re preparing for that great day!

Marsha Deveaux Johnson

(A song given to me by the Holy Spirit @twenty-five years ago)

Welcome to a new year and a new day!  How wonderful it is when our heavenly Father speaks “Rhema” (God inspired word, planted in man’s spirit) to our hearts!  It is always encouraging and direct in its power to address, heal, and clarify every situation.  On January 6, 2020, God implanted His Rhema word for my life in my spirit with three words, “water into wine”.  This is the season in my life that water will turn to wine.

The origin of this passage goes back to the first biblically recorded miracle of Jesus when He was here on earth (John Chapter 2).  He was at a wedding in Cana of Galilee.  There was a problem.  The wedding hosts had run out of wine for the guests.  Jesus, along with His mother Mary and the disciples were among the guests.  Apparently Mary became aware of the problem.  She however intervened in the situation because she had given birth to and had the Solver (Jesus) of every problem living under her roof.  She went and explained the situation to Him.  His reply to her was one of “not my problem, not my time”.

The mother of Jesus knew His heart toward people and refused to let it end there.  She engaged the disciples and instructed them to follow His orders when they came.  That is exactly what happened.  Jesus gave them orders to fill water pots.  At the time, this probably made no sense at all, but the disciples were obedient.  Jesus closed this case when He miraculously turned the water into wine.  This wine came as a delight to all the guests because it was the best wine that had been served.

It has been my experience that when God speaks to us, we never know initially the depth of His communication at that time. He unfolds, illuminates, and clarifies.  We humble our hearts and allow Him to unfold, illuminate, and clarify His meaning to the words that He tenderly places in our spirit.  My heart is humbled with this word and I share it with you for you to ponder with Father whether this word can be embraced by your heart.  Here are three principles I observe  from this scripture and from the Rhema word (Water into Wine) God gave me.

Water/Wine

First of all, water is H2O in its chemical analysis.  Wine is different.  Water will never become wine except under miraculous circumstances.  That is what happened in Cana of Galilee.  There was divine intervention.  God in His logos (written) word has given Believers the power of having divine intervention in our lives.   When God says “water into wine” to me He is speaking of His sovereign divine intervention into my life, circumstance, and situation.  The morning after I received this word from God I awakened with clarity in my spirit regarding what to do in two situations that I had been pondering.  I immediately acknowledged to God that the clarity He had given was a “water into wine” event.  I anticipate having them as frequently as He allows.  What glorious things will He unfold, reveal, clarify, and do in my life?  He alone knows.

Mary/Absolute Faith, Confidence, Dependency

Secondly, what is obvious in this scripture recording is that Mary recognized she could not solve this problem.  It needed divine intervention and she had to get the problem to the One Who could solve it.  Mary knew that the God who lived under her roof was able to solve this problem.  She had faith and confidence in Him. This says we must have absolute faith, confidence, and  dependence upon God in every circumstance to see “water into wine” events come to pass.

Disciples/ Obedience

The third part of the “water into wine” process that I observe is the complete obedience of the disciples regardless of the “marching orders”.  Mary said to them, “whatsoever He says, do it.”  It is incumbent upon us to obey His logos and Rhema word regardless of our knowledge of the outcome.  After all, He is working things together for our good and His glory.

I am encouraged by this word, I want to see it manifest in my life.  I anticipate the divine intervention of God everywhere, at all times, and in all the places of my life.  I’m allowing the transformation power of the word of God to turn “water into wine.”  I will be totally exercising my faith, confidence, and dependency upon God.  I will be obedient to His logos and Rhema word.  I will see “water into wine” this year and every year until He returns!

 “Water into Wine”

 PS.

Led by God, I use the word “divine” intervention as opposed to supernatural.  Divine refers always to Deity. Supernatural encompasses divine, ghost, or devil according to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary.

Understanding Righteousness

Understanding Righteousness

Marsha Deveaux Johnson, Living Joy Ministries, Inc., http://hepzibah40.blogspot.com

“Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom and with all thy getting get understanding” Proverbs 4:7

“God hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (Christ Jesus).”   2^nd Corinthians 5:21

Definitions:  Merriam Webster’s Desk Dictionary

Understanding:  Knowledge and ability to judge

Righteousness:   Acting or being in accordance with what is just, honorable, and free from guilt or wrong, upright, moral, ethical

Years ago God led me to do a study on righteousness.  He said to me that He was a righteous God and loved righteousness. I gathered many scriptures in His word on righteousness and stored them in my heart and in my computer.  Recently God has been speaking to me again about righteousness.  I went to my computer and found those precious scriptures (two pages of them) and began to confess them regularly.  God always has a plan when He reminds you of His word that He has planted in your heart.   I share some of His thoughts spoken to my heart for me and the body of Christ regarding righteousness.

           

#1

The scriptures plainly tell us that we are the righteousness of God when we accept and are found in Jesus Christ (2^nd Corinthians 5:21).  When receiving Jesus, we instantly become the righteousness of God simply because of our faith and acceptance of Jesus Christ.  From that point on, the natural progression is to allow the Holy Spirit (The third Person in the Trinity of Jesus and God) to  daily impart right thinking, right choosing, and right doing to us.  This is called transformation and renewing of the mind.  It is necessary to manifest God’s will in our lives on a daily basis.

#2

We must understand why God chose to make us righteous through Christ. We were imputed or given righteousness by God so that the righteousness of Christ Jesus in us would produce righteous fruit.  If God had not invested righteousness in us through Jesus Christ, and we had to of our own free will choose righteousness, failure would be inevitable for us.  He made provision for us to grow the righteousness seed He sowed in us through Jesus by declaring us righteous.  The seed of righteousness is in us planted by God to produce righteous fruit (Example: The seed of an orange tree in the process of time produces oranges).

#3

Let me use a parallel example to further clarify the understanding of righteousness.  I will compare righteousness imputed by Jesus Christ to a three million dollar inheritance.  A desperately poor person suddenly comes into a three million dollar inheritance (Righteousness of God through Christ).  The person is now instantly a millionaire.  However his mentality now has to change (transformation, renewing of the mind).  He no longer has to be homeless.  He can change that. He no longer has to stand in the soup line.  That can change.  If he worked, he may consider leaving the low paying job.  He may consider moving to another town, visiting his family, and any of the long lists of possibilities that have now expanded.   All these decisions, all these choices have to be decided as time goes on.  This new millionaire (compared to the new creature in Christ, 2^nd Corinthians 5:17) must allow the millionaire status to impact every aspect of his life. Being made a millionaire instantly positions you to live as a millionaire.  However, living like a millionaire takes time.  You may also continue to live a life of poverty if you do not use the inheritance to make right spending choices.   

#4

So it is with your being instantly made the righteousness of God through Christ (2^nd Corinthians 5:21).  Being made the righteousness of God when you accept Jesus Christ empowers you to live righteous. However, living righteous takes time, knowledge of God’s word, and obedience to it.   Righteousness has to permeate every aspect of your life as time goes by.  When you understand that you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus it changes everything.  You begin to live your life from a place of victory.  You no longer see yourself as a sinner, but a new creation keeping sin out of your life. You no longer see yourself as poor, but rich keeping poverty out of your life.  You no longer see yourself as sick, but well keeping sickness out of your life.   You have been declared righteous by God so that you may live a righteous life.

#5

The fruit of the newly imputed (inherited) righteousness frees you from the curse (sin, sickness, poverty, spiritual death, Galatians 3:13).  As you grow in the knowledge and application of the word of God in your life you will grow in the daily imparted righteousness.  Your daily righteous choices equip you for combating the world, the flesh, and the Devil. You are a new creation in Christ Jesus (2^nd Corinthians 5:17).  After His death on the cross, Jesus lives inside of everyone who has accepted Him as Savior and Lord. He instantly declares them the righteousness of God.  As God’s word is applied to and activated in the Believer daily, righteousness abounds in his life.

The Believer has promises in God’s word that are a by-product of them being made righteous and continuing to manifest righteousness in their lives.  I have listed the scriptures that I gathered years ago to encourage you in your walk with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  You are God’s righteousness because of Jesus Christ.  Live and enjoy all God’s benefits of being His righteousness right here on earth.

                                                        

The Uncompromisingly Righteous

Living Joy Ministries Inc., http://hepzibah40.blogspot..com

Compiled by Marsha Deveaux Johnson in 2008

They will never famish (suffer severely from hunger).

(Proverbs 10:3)

Blessings are upon their head. (Proverbs 10:6)

Their memory is a blessing to others. (Proverbs 10:7, Psalms 112:6)

Their mouth is a well of life. (10:11)

Their earnings lead to life. (Proverbs 10:16)

Their lips (mouth) feed many. (Proverbs 10:21)

Their desire shall be granted. (Proverbs 10:26)

Their hope is joy and gladness. (Proverbs 10:28, Psalms 118:15)

Their mouths bring skillful and godly wisdom. (Proverbs 10: 31, Psalms 37:30, Proverbs 15:28)

They know and speak that which is acceptable. (Proverbs 10:32, Psalms 37:30)

Their integrity guides them. (Proverbs 11:2)

They are delivered from death. (Proverbs 11:4)

They are delivered from trouble. (Proverbs 11:8)

A city is exalted by them. (Proverbs 11:11)

They shall flourish like a green tree. (Proverbs 11:28)

They shall receive an earthly reward. Proverbs 11:31,

Psalms 92:12)

They obtain God’s favor. (Proverbs 12:2, Psalms 5:12)

Their thoughts and purposes are honest and reliable.

(Proverbs 12:5)

Their house shall stand. (Proverbs 12:7)

They bear the fruit of their words. (Proverbs 12:14)

They listen to counsel. (Proverbs 12:15)

No evil shall come upon them. (Proverbs 12:21)

They are a guide (example) to their neighbor. (Proverbs 12:26)

They hate lying and deceit. (Proverbs 13:5, Proverbs 29:27)

Their light comes from within. (Proverbs 13:9)

They are rewarded with good things. (Proverbs 13: 21)

They leave an inheritance to their children and grandchildren. (Proverbs 13:22, Proverbs 20:7)

The wealth of the sinner finds its way into their hands.

(Proverbs 13:22)

God watches over their ways. (Psalms 1:6)

God is present with them. (Psalms 14:5)

They are commanded to be joyous and sing. (Psalms 32:11,

Psalms 33:1, Psalms 64:10, Psalms 68:3-4)

They cry and God hears and delivers them. (Psalms 34:17,

 Psalms 37:39-40)

They are delivered from all their troubles. (Psalms 34:19,

Proverbs 15:29)

The Lord upholds the righteous. (Psalms 34:17, Psalms 55:22)

They give generously. (Psalms 37:21, Psalms 112:5,

Proverbs 21:26)

They will never be forsaken and their seed will not beg for bread. (Psalms 37:25)

They will inherit the land. (Psalms 37:29)

Men will speak of God’s faithfulness to them. (Psalms 58:11)

Their names are in the book of life. (Psalms 69:28)

Light is sown for them. (Psalms 97:11, Psalms 112:4,

 Proverbs 4:18)

Their rebuke is a blessing. (Psalms 141:5)

The Lord loves the righteous. (Psalms 146:8, Isaiah 3:10)

The Lord blesses their home. (Proverbs 3:33, Psalms 118:15, Proverbs 15:6)

Their refuge in death is Jesus Christ. (Proverbs 14:32)

They may fall seven times, but will always rise. (Proverbs 24:16)

They are bold as a lion.  (Proverbs 28:1)

They care about justice for the poor. (Proverbs 29:7)

They will see the downfall of the wicked.  (Proverbs 29:16)

My Best Gift

              My Best Gift

Marsha Deveaux Johnson,

Living Joy Ministries, Inc. http://hepzibah40.blogspot.com

Recently as I communed with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in meditation on the word of God, I said to Father God what I thought was the best gift that He had given me.  I said to Him that the best gift that He had given me was the ability to hear Him speak to me with His word (Logos and Rhema).  I began hearing God’s voice at a very early age in life.  At the time, I was not even conscious of the fact that it was His voice but as time went on, I realized that the God of the universe was speaking to me.  First He spoke through His “Logos” (written) word (Bible) and then in my spirit with “Rhema” (divinely implanted truths) words (John 10:27, My sheep know my voice…).

The grace that God also gave to me was that He gifted me with penning (writing) down the Logos and Rhema words He gives so that they may be a blessing to other people.  When He speaks so divinely and poignantly I always have an incredible desire to “write it down and pass it on” (Habakkuk 2:2, write the vision… that you may run with it).

Recently I reviewed some words God gave me in 2007 and I now share these phenomenal truths with you.  I know your life will be strengthened if not changed by His incredible words given to one of His friends, Marsha Deveaux Johnson (“I no longer call you servants but friends”, John 15:15).

August 5, 2007

“The best thing that happened to man was that He was created by God, made in His image and likeness, and brought into eternity with Him” (Genesis 1:26). 

In eternity our lives are complete in Him (Jesus), (Colossians 2:10, Ye are complete in Him…).  In time we are processing completeness as we daily make right choices. If we live each moment in the presence of God (He is in time and eternity), our lives will ascend to eternal faith.  We sometimes try to live life obsessing about future times. The truth is that each of us has a “moment in time” every second of our lives.  In a sense, this is eternity because the next moment cannot be experienced unless God gives it.  Are you walking in His image and likeness now?  Do you love Him wholeheartedly now?  Do you love yourself and others now?  Are you making godly decisions now?  If your life is lived in this “now” manner (favoring right choices now), then all of your life will resonate God’s will for you. “

August 10, 2007

“You favor your destiny by the choices you make today.”

“You have inside of you (God’s will, plan, and purpose for your life) in this life all that you will have in eternity.  Allow God to complete the work He has begun in you (Philippians 1:6).  External God-given goals are reached because of the status of the inner man.  If He lives inside of you, His life will be seen on the outside of you.”

“When you fear, you are on the throne in your life and are limited to your ability.  Fear is eliminated when you trust God and Him alone for all of your life (2^nd Timothy 1:7), God has not given fear… “

“Do not let the charm of earthly desires separate you from intimacy with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Lean in deeper to fellowship and intimacy with the God-head in spite of what you have or don’t have.  He is the Eternal Supplier, El Shaddai (More than enough).”

August 19, 2007

“Searching for God?  He lives inside of you!”

“Your interior sanctuary (spirit) is where God abides.  Deny selfish desires and commune with God in your inner sanctuary.  Then watch your life grow!”

“To be lost in God, you must come out of yourself.  Die to self-will.”

“Take God’s side against your selfish ways.  Let nothing in you oppose His plan, His purpose, and His delight in you.”

“I disband, derail, and deny every thought that denies the goodness of God.”

August 12, 2007

“Take down your own tent (self-will), pull up your own stakes (selfish-ways), and allow God to build His Kingdom in you.”

September 21, 2007

“I will what You will.  My will has become Your will.  They are now one in the same.”

“Internal prayer (spirit led) unites us with eternity.  Our prayers are not limited to earthly desires, but to eternal truths.”

“When you love and surrender to God completely, you are abandoned to His will and His glory.  Never again take charge of yourself.”

“The eternal treasure (man’s spirit) is in a human vessel (2^nd Corinthians 4:7 ) at this time.  The vessel may decay, but the treasure will live throughout eternity.”

 “Union with God demands instant obedience to His will.”

“The truth of God’s word must penetrate every aspect of our spirit, soul, and body.”

“Find what God wants if He is first in your life.  Then do His bidding (John 5:30, I can do nothing of Myself…).”

“Be filled and meditate on God’s word, prayer will follow.  When truth has saturated your spirit soul, and body, then true prayer will begin.”

Why Does God Put Up With Us?

Why Does God Put Up With Us?

Marsha Deveaux Johnson, http://hepzibah40.blogspot.com Living Joy Ministries, Inc.

Recently after prayer and meditation on God’s word, I asked God “Why does He put up with us (man)? When we view current world situations and even the Body of Christ, it becomes very clear that many have fallen so very short of God’s will and purpose.  Sin, disobedience, doubt, fear, hatred, mockery, you name it and man is practicing it.  So then why does Elohim, Creator of the universe allow this renegade behavior from man?

It does not always happen that I get an immediate answer from God when I ask, but this time I did.  He took me to one of the most important verses in the Bible.  It is Genesis 1:26 that speaks of man being created in His (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) image and likeness.  This scripture embodies the plan and purpose of man and unlocks the key to the victory of Believers.  God said to me that we were indeed created in His image and likeness.  He knows what His creation is capable of and can do.  He views us as capable of walking, living, and functioning in His image and likeness.  Not only does He see us this way, He made provision for us to function in His image and likeness by sending Jesus to die for the eradication of sin in our lives. 

Adam disobeyed God and brought a sin curse on all mankind.  Jesus died to eradicate the inherited sin of Adam and the committed sins of every human being.  Adam brought the CURSE and Jesus brought the CURE.  As I was writing this piece, I noticed that if you take the letter S out of the word CURSE, it becomes the word CURE.  What a divine revelation!  Let’s just say S represents SIN and when sin is gone, the CURE (Jesus Christ) has come! 

God also spoke to me about every man being just one step away from Him regardless of circumstances or situations in their lives. We have but to reach deep into our human spirit and there He is. It doesn’t matter how well you know Him, or how long you have walked in His ways, He loves you and meets you right where you are.  Just step into your spirit and He appears. (Selah)

Five Reasons Why God Puts Up With Us

·         God puts up with us because He has a covenant with us.  In the Old Testament God chose the nation of Israel to issue to them the Abrahamic covenant.  This offered them  physical protection, protection from enemies, protection from disease/illness, and blessings.  This covenant with Israel was a “type” or “shadow” of the New Covenant to come.  This covenant was also broken by His chosen people.  In the New Testament, Jesus, God’s Son, the third Person of the Trinity comes to earth and dies to fulfill and establish the New Covenant.  This was purchased with His blood (Hebrews 10:9-18).

·         God puts up with us because when we receive Jesus we are His sons and joint-heirs with Christ.  He says in His word (1^st John 3:2) “Beloved, now are ye the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be;  but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.”  In earthly time we are “in the process” of conforming to His image and likeness.  In eternity, we are already complete.

·         God puts up with us because we are His “righteousness”.  He sent Jesus to die for our sins.  We have been “declared righteous” when we accept the blood of Christ in eradication of our sins (2^nd Corinthians 5:21). We can then walk and live in His image and likeness.

·         God puts up with us because He sees the end from the beginning.  Isaiah 46:10 “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.”  He knows that our completed state (end) is far from our present situation. 

·         God puts up with us because Jesus is our Intercessor, seated at the right hand of God, with whom we are joint heirs (Romans 8:17). Hebrews 7:25, says, “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intersession for them.”  Jesus is our Mediator when He brings us to the Father for salvation.  But as a Believer, He becomes our Intercessor.

Why is Jesus our Intercessor? 

First, because when we receive Jesus as Savior we are instantly changed only in our spirit (Inner man, part that communes with God).  Our soul, which consists of our mind, will, and emotions is not changed.  Our bodies are not changed, but remain subject to our soul (mind will, emotions).  There must be a renewing of the mind to conform to the image of Christ (Romans 12:2).  The mind is renewed by reading, studying, meditating, and doing the word of God.  We walk in the image and likeness of God when our minds are renewed with the word of God.   That same word must be lived out in our body (flesh).  We walk and live in God’s image and likeness when we practice His word.

Secondly, Satan attacks our walk with God to stop or hinder our growth in Jesus Christ.  1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” We must know and use our authority, entitlements, and weapons to walk in the image and likeness of God (Luke 22:31-32).

Always remember that you are created in the image and likeness of God.  He created you in His image and likeness and made provision for you to walk in His image and likeness.  You see yourself and others in the realm of time.  God sits in eternity with the finished product of the lives of all He created. He is going to stick with you, put up with you, and love you because you are His. He sees you complete in Him, in His image, in His likeness, His finished product, fit for eternity!  

Remember the word CURSE minus the S (Sin) is the word CURE (Jesus Christ)!

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

1^st Corinthians 15:22

Evicting Adam

Evicting Adam

Marsha Deveaux Johnson, Living Joy Ministries, Inc. http://hepzibah40.blogspot.com

Who is Man?

Man is God’s creation (Genesis 1:26).

How does man exist?

Man exists as spirit, soul, and body (1^st Thessalonians 5:23).

Spirit:  The inner man that houses the Spirit of God.  It becomes alive to the things of God when you receive Jesus as Savior (Ephesians 2:1-3).  Your spirit is the only part of you that changes when you receive Jesus as Savior.  Your spirit is God-conscious

Soul:  The soul of man consists of his mind (intellect), his will (decision making power), and his emotions (feelings).  Your soul is Self-Conscious

Body: The body of man consists of flesh, blood, and bones.   Your body is World-conscious.

Who Is Adam?

Adam is the first man created by God and placed in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:4-25)

How does Adam relate to me?

Adam was given instructions by God for life and he willfully disobeyed these instructions. By doing so, he brought a curse (sin) on himself and on all future generations to come (Genesis 3:1-24).  Disobedience was the first sin committed.  Every man born after Adam inherited this curse of disobedience to the God of creation (Elohim).

Why must Adam be evicted?

Adam sinned and passed his sin on to every human being.  God was cut off from His creation in the manner that He had first ordained.  But He had a plan. His plan was to “become a man” and restore (or bring) His creation to a place where this separation could never ever be permanent.  He would give man a way to connect with Him so that separation would only take place if man made that choice.

This plan required God to take the inherited sin of Adam and the committed sins of man (past, present, and future) and abolish them forever.  This happened when Jesus came and died for all sins: inherited, past, present, and future.

What a blessing to know that God’s plan was taken care of from before the foundation of the world by God Himself.  He always had a plan for man to exist with Him in fellowship throughout eternity.

Eviction Plan Execution

Man’s New Existence (Human Spirit Changed): Step 1

Evicting Adam starts with making a decision to accept and follow Christ and His word (Bible). This is the first and necessary step for the redemption plan to work for man.  Christ then comes to live in your reborn human spirit.  Your soul does not change at this time.  You still have the full range of emotions, decision making power (will), and your intellectual memory and capacity.  Your body also does not change at this time.  You are as fully physical capable now as you were before you accepted Christ.  However, your “reborn spirit” changes your consciousness toward God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  You now desire to serve and fellowship with them!

Renewing of the Soul:  Step 2

Evicting Adam continues with bringing the soul under the authority of your spirit (which is sealed by the Holy Spirit), Ephesians 4:30).   Adam and his disobedience must be now evicted from the soul of man. Your soul must now seek to be subject to your spirit.  Your body then follows your soul. 

Step 2 is a process of the renewal of the mind of the Believer.  This renewal takes place by being a hearer and a doer of the word of God (James 1:22-25).  The word of God must first be known (studied) and then be applied (lived) in the Believers life.

The transformation of the mind of the Believer is called “Conforming to the image of Christ” (Romans 12:2, Romans 8:29).  This process is self-denial and  daily dying to the residual disobedience of Adam in the soul.   This disobedience has remained in the soul of man even after accepting Jesus as Savior.

“Disobedient Adam” lives for “self”.   Self love, self interest, self promotion, all things “self” are demanded to be on the throne of the soul. However in your newly regenerated spirit, you have become a new creature in Christ Jesus (2^nd Corinthians 5:17).  Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit occupy the throne in your human spirit.   And thus begins the struggle.  There is no doubt about it.  Adam screams death (1^st Corinthians 15:22) scripturally and spiritually.  But Jesus is “Life Himself” as we “die daily“ (1^st Corinthians 15:31) to “Disobedient Adam”.  We become more alive to Christ as we cast down imaginations (2^nd Corinthians 10:5) and all things that try to exalt itself above the knowledge of Christ.  We are transformed by God’s word (Romans 12:2).

Disobedient Adam diminishes as we conform to the image of Christ! Amen (So let it be)!  The blessings that God has prepared for us are limitless and timeless.  He desires us to walk in sweet communion and fellowship with Him.  This can and does happen as we continually yield our soul to His word.  All of Adam dies and all of Christ lives (1^st Corinthians 15:22)!

Generational Blessings and Curses: Step 3

Proverbs 26:2, “As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come”.

Exodus 20:5, “Thou shall not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God is a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep My commandments.”

This part of evicting Adam addresses the blessings and curses (sin)  in the bloodline of man.  It is also known as ancestor traits and lineage sins.  These are things that are passed on through the generations that either bless or curse (Galatians 3:13-14).  When previous generations served and obeyed God, spiritual doors were opened for future generational blessings.  When previous generations sinned, spiritual doors for sin were opened for future generational curses of sickness, murder, hatred, etc. (Galatians 5: 19-21).

Blessings and curses try to visit future generations, (What spiritual heritage are you passing to your offspring?)  However, curses must be denounced and broken by Believers.  This process takes place by what I call, “Casting out” and “Closing doors”. 

In addition to the bloodline open doors, doors were also opened when man sinned himself.  The Bible says that the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). We must first denounce the curses (sins) that entered our lineage when our ancestors sinned. Then we cast out every spiritual force (in the soul only) that entered and remained through them.

Then we denounce the curses (sins) (in the soul only) that entered when we committed sins.  Then we cast out every spiritual force that entered and remained through our committed sins.  After that, we close every spiritual door that was opened and remained open with bloodline curses and sins committed curses.

Your spirit is reborn, new creation.  Your soul must be transformed by God’s word.

Self Reflection with Father God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit

What generation curses do you recognize in your life?

What are the sins you committed that opened doors for curses in your own life?

Are you willing to denounce both generational and committed sins?

Are you willing to cast out and stop committing generational and committed sins?

Do you want doors closed for sin in your life?

By your words, denounce generation and committed sins and cast them out of you.

By your words close all open doors for sin.

Commit to daily conforming to the image of Christ by hearing and doing His word.

Evicting Adam

Marsha Deveaux Johnson, Living Joy Ministries, Inc. http://hepzibah40.blogspot.com

Self Reflection with Father God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit

What generation curses do you recognize in your life?

What are the sins you committed that opened doors for curses in your own life?

Are you willing to denounce both generational and committed sins?

Are you willing to cast out and stop committing generational and committed sins?

Do you want doors closed for sin in your life?

By your words, denounce generation and committed sins and cast them out of you.

By your words close all open doors for sin.

Commit to daily conforming to the image of Christ by hearing and doing His word.